Tributes to Robyn Mercer

Art specialist Paul Crane who knew Ms Mercer for more than 20 years through her work as an antiques dealer said she was “full of the most golden energy”.

“She was so polite it was unbelievable,” he said. “She was just full of kindness. She was extremely well thought of in the industry.

“She had worked in the trade for more than 20 years and had a great deal of knowledge of the history of silversmithing.

“She was a very private person. I’m so shocked this has happened.”

Robyn Mercer, 50, was found battered to death in the front garden of her home in Walton Road, West Molesey

15:19Charlotte Tobitt

Family 'supportive' of police search

Speaking about Ms Mercer’s family, DCI Rymarz said: “They are being very supportive of the enquiries that we’re doing, they are obviously very upset.”

He told reporters that police are in close contact with Ms Mercer’s South African family, where she was originally from.

“They are just hopeful that we will be in a position at some stage to bring Robyn’s killer to justice.”

DCI Rymarz also confirmed that the weapon was some sort of a machete or an axe. He can’t go into any more detail at this stage.

14:59Charlotte Tobitt

Photos from the scene

Here are a few of the photos taken by our photographer Darren Pepe to give you a glimpse of what’s going on.

Specialist Group International divers at Littleheath Pond in Oxshott as part of the Robyn Mercer murder investigation

Specialist Group International divers at Littleheath Pond in Oxshott as part of the Robyn Mercer murder investigation

Specialist Group International divers at Littleheath Pond in Oxshott as part of the Robyn Mercer murder investigation

Specialist Group International divers at Littleheath Pond in Oxshott as part of the Robyn Mercer murder investigation

14:51Charlotte Tobitt

Focused on finding Robyn's killer

DCI Rymarz has addressed the fact that people have been arrested in connection with Ms Mercer’s murder for other offences.

He said: “Ultimately the enquiry is focused on one thing and that is to find the person responsible for Robyn’s murder.”

A 26-year-old man from West Molesey arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle and murder and on conspiracy to pervert the course of justice has been re-bailed to December 16.

A 26-year-old man from West Molesey arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle and murder has been re-bailed to December 16.

A 45-year-old woman from Oxshott arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice has been re-bailed until December 16.

A 20-year-old woman from Oxshott arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice has been re-bailed until December 16.

14:43Oliver Florence

Search to last for a few days

More from Tom who explains that the inflatable boat used by SGI employs advanced scanning equipment to survey the floor of the lake and looks for objects that could pose a danger to the divers, along with anything that could potentially help the investigation.

Police have said that the search is set to last for a few days.

DCI Paul Rymarz briefs the press as divers search Littleheath Pond in Oxshott in connection with the murder of Robyn Mercer

14:26Charlotte Tobitt

Crimewatch appeal 'very useful'

DCI Paul Rymarz has said the Crimewatch appeal which aired on TV last month was “very useful, very interesting”.

“We received some other very important information and what that tends to do is that tends to stimulate other people to perhaps come forward and it’s certainly something that has helped us in this particular enquiry.”

13:59Oliver Florence

Map of the lake and murder scene

We’re hearing from our reporter that a new batch of divers is getting ready to go in to the lake, which as our map shows is about seven miles south of Robyn Mercer’s West Molesey home.

The search of the lake in Oxshott comes a month after detectives issued a fresh appeal on Crimewatch and Crimestoppers are also offering a £10,000 reward for information that leads to arrest and conviction.

13:29Oliver Florence

Update from our reporter on the scene

Our reporter Tom Smurthwaite, who is on the banks of the pond watching the search, says the divers will not be searching the entire body of water, which covers around five acres, but instead will concentrate on a section by the public footpath.

There are currently two divers from Specialist Group International underwater while a boat is patrolling the lake and scanning for objects. The divers are going down to depths of 11 metres, about 20 metres from the edge of the water.

DCI Paul Rymarz would not reveal to Tom whether the search was linked to the two Oxshott women arrested and bailed as part of the investigation or why they are concentrating on a particular spot.

The boat scanning the water at the lake in Oxshott

13:17Charlotte Talbot

"There are people in Elmbridge who know who is responsible”

Continuing to talk to the press at the scene, DCI Rymarz said he believes “there are people in Elmbridge who know who is responsible” for the murder.

He has urged them to come forward and speak to police.

13:09Charlotte Tobitt

Photos from the scene

Our photographer at the scene, Darren Pepe, has shared some photos of the divers in action.

They’re from Specialist Group International and are working together with Surrey Police.

12:58Charlotte Tobitt

DCI Rymarz speaks

Detective Chief Inspector, who is in charge of this investigation, has spoken to press at the scene about the dive activity.

He said he cannot go into the specific reason police have come to Littleheath pond in Oxshott.

But he added: “It’s a very thorough search and hopefully that will demonstrate our ongoing commitment to finding the people or person responsible for Robyn’s murder.”

12:45Charlotte Talbot

Video of the divers out on the water

Here’s some footage from our reporter Tom Smurthwaite who’s down at Littleheath Pond.

12:35Oliver Florence

Latest picture from the scene

A diving team searching the pond on Littleheath Common

12:18Oliver Florence

Littleheath Pond

The pond is just north of the railway line between Oxshott and Cobham and Stoke D’Abernon stations. It is about seven miles by road from the scene of the murder at the house on Walton Road near Molesey Library.

Map showing location of Littleheath Pond, Oxshott

12:11Charlotte Tobitt

Search for evidence begins

Surrey Police, along with divers from Specialist Group International, have today begun searching a lake in Oxshott.

The search is part of the murder investigation into Robyn Mercer’s death.

The mother-of-two was found dead outside her home in Walton Road, West Molesey, at about 8am on Monday March 14.

The murder investigation has now come to Littleheath Pond in Oxshott in a search for fresh evidence.

Robyn Mercer

We will bring you updates, including photos and videos, from the scene.

12:05Charlotte Tobitt

First photo from the search

Our reporter Tom Smurthwaite is at the scene to see how the search unfolds.

He will hopefully speak to Detective Chief Inspector Paul Rymarz who is in charge of the murder investigation.

Here is Tom’s first photo from the scene:

Dive teams at Littleheath Common Ponds in Oxshott on Tuesday October 18

12:01Charlotte Tobitt

Dive team search begins

Surrey Police, along with divers from Specialist Group International, have today begun searching a lake in Oxshott.

The search is part of the murder investigation into Robyn Mercer’s death.

The mother-of-two was found dead outside her home in Walton Road, West Molesey, at about 8am on Monday March 14.

The murder investigation has now come to Littleheath Pond in Oxshott in a search for fresh evidence.

Robyn Mercer

We will bring you updates, including photos and videos, from the scene.